"Now then, I did not misunderstand, did I?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa glanced briefly at Kocho Shinobu before fixing his gaze on Raiden.
"You…"
Shinobu exhaled quietly and chose not to continue.
Although she wished to see another Hashira rise within the Demon Slayer Corps, she would never accept one who openly sheltered a demon. Since Raiden insisted on standing by his choice, there was nothing left for her to say.
It was unfortunate.
A talent like this was rare.
Raiden, meanwhile, saw something flicker before his eyes.
Wind Hashira: Sanemi Shinazugawa
Race: Human
Comprehension: Exceptional
Aptitude: Exceptional
Physique: Marechi
Breathing Style: Wind Breathing
Forms Mastered: First through Sixth
Advanced Proficiency: Seventh and Ninth Forms
Raiden rolled his shoulders once and adjusted the box strapped firmly to his back.
Aside from Kibutsuji Muzan, Sanemi Shinazugawa was the strongest opponent he had encountered.
A Hashira at the peak of his power.
Even before arriving here, Raiden had strengthened himself significantly, yet the gap between them remained unmistakable.
If he held back, he would lose.
Without another thought, Raiden vanished in a crack of lightning and surged forward.
Against overwhelming strength, passivity meant death.
Sanemi's lips curled upward as his teal Nichirin blade caught the sunlight.
Wind Breathing unfolded in full.
Steel collided with thunder.
Raiden was blasted backward in a single exchange, skidding across the stone as golden sparks flickered and faded around him.
He tightened his grip on his sword, knees bent, Thunder Breathing driven to its absolute limit.
He exhaled.
Electricity snapped around him as his gaze sharpened.
"Still not enough," Raiden muttered.
He launched himself forward again.
This time, his speed climbed even higher, lightning tearing across the courtyard.
Sanemi raised his blade and blocked effortlessly.
Thunder was fast.
Wind was faster.
If this had been any other Hashira, Raiden's relentless bursts would have forced them on the defensive. But Sanemi matched him step for step, his movements precise and ruthless.
"Again," Raiden said calmly.
Sanemi's eyes narrowed.
If this man did not protect demons, he would have rivaled Tokito in potential.
So young, yet his control over Thunder Breathing was already refined. For a moment, Sanemi was reminded of the former Sound Hashira.
A shame.
Because standing on the side of demons meant death.
Lightning flooded the courtyard.
Every strike Raiden unleashed was pushed to its extreme.
Every flash was met with a solid, unyielding defense.
No matter the angle, no matter the form, Sanemi remained unreachable, surrounded by pressure like a living storm.
Then Sanemi began advancing.
Step by step.
The courtyard was not endless.
Raiden's space shrank.
"Impressive," Tengen Uzui muttered, eyes sharp. "That speed and stamina are no joke."
Among the Hashira, only a few could even follow Raiden's movements now.
Sanemi appeared relaxed, but his focus never wavered.
"So fast," Mitsuri Kanroji breathed. "He's amazing."
"This is where it ends," Gyomei Himejima said quietly, hands clasped.
Raiden was cornered.
Three meters.
That was all the space left.
Raiden stopped.
He inhaled deeply.
Sparks crackled from his breath as it mixed with the air.
His body trembled from exhaustion. Sweat ran down his temples. His blade bore visible nicks.
Yet his expression did not change.
Sanemi was strong. Stronger than Raiden by a clear margin.
Even using Thunder Breathing's first five forms without restraint had failed to break through.
But Raiden had never stepped forward without certainty.
The ground beneath his feet glowed faintly.
Lightning had already spread across the courtyard.
"That's enough," Raiden said softly.
Sanemi chuckled. "I agree. I've had my fun."
Raiden lifted his gaze.
"No," he replied calmly. "This is just the beginning."
At once, every arc of lightning on the ground surged toward him, answering his call.
Golden thunder roared, releasing a sharp cry like a piercing bird's scream.
This was Thunder Breathing in its purest form.
Raiden stood bathed in light, white hair shimmering beneath the storm.
He raised his damaged blade.
"Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form. Rumble and Flash."
The lightning detonated.
Blinding light swallowed the courtyard.
____
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